Jimmy Cleveland - Complete Recordings (2006) [2CD Set]

This two CD set features the complete recordings of Jimmy Cleveland as a leader. Trombonist Cleveland closely follows in the footsteps of the great J.J. Johnson. Fluid, dynamic solos over the great ensemble writing of Quincy Jones, Benny Golson and others. A must have for fans of trombone and mid-'50s post-Bop. One of the most exciting jazz trombonists of the 1950s, Jimmy Cleveland had a technique equal to that of Bill Watrous (who would not emerge until a decade later), an enthusiastic style that could hold its own with Frank Rosolino, and was the first important new voice on the trombone to emerge after J.J. Johnson.

He led four albums during 1955-1959 before disappearing into the world of studio work. With the exception of six isolated selections from the era (including four for Epic), the four records are all of his sessions as a leader and they are reissued in full on this two-CD set. The music on Complete Recordings is drawn from the EmArcy/Mercury catalog. Cleveland is featured with three overlapping octets arranged by Quincy Jones, on two brass-oriented sets that have a prominent role for Don Butterfield's tuba, and an album with trumpeter Art Farmer and tenor saxophonist Benny Golson from 1959 that finds him at the peak of his powers. Other sidemen include trumpeter Ernie Royal, Jerome Richardson on various reeds, tenor saxophonist Lucky Thompson and drummer Max Roach, with arrangements by the likes of Ernie Wilkins, Benny Golson and Gigi Gryce. The music is in the hard bop vein but rarely predictable, with Cleveland getting several showcases that display his impressive virtuosity, along with pieces in which he interacts with his all-star sidemen. This is a highly recommended set that nearly comprises all of the musical legacy of the great Jimmy Cleveland.


Tracks:

CD 1
01. I Hadn’t Anyone ‘Till You (4:15)
02. See Minor (5:15)
03. Love is Here to Stay (3:29)
04. Hear Ye! Hear Ye! (5:49)
05. You Don’t Know What Love Is (4:59)
06. Little Beaver (7:45)
07. My One and Only Love (4:02)
08. Love is Here to Stay (3:32)
09. Vixen (4:28)
10. Count ‘Em (6:36)
11. Bone Brother (5:38)
12. Out of This World (4:03)
13. All This and Heaven Too (5:42)
14. Goodbye Ebbets Field (6:07)
15. Posterity (4:45)

CD 2
01. A Jazz Ballad (4:06)
02. Long ago and Far Away (3:23)
03. Jimmy’s Tune (3:35)
04. Marie (4:46)
05. Stardust (4:53)
06. The Best Things in Life are Free (4:36)
07. A Hundred Years from Today (4:37)
08. Jimmy’s Old Funky Blues (8:44)
09. Swing Low,Sweet Chariot(5:13)
10. Jay Bird (3:36)
11. Our Delight (4:30)
12. Crazy Rhythm (3:53)
13. Reminiscing (3:03)
14. We Never Kissed (3:46)
15. Old Reliable (4:13)
16. Tricotism (7:56)
17. Tom-Kattin’(3:33)

Personnel:

Jimmy Cleveland - trombone
with:
Art Farmer, Ernie Royal, Lucky Thompson, Benny Golson, Cecil Payne, Hank Jones, Wynton Kelly, Junior Mance, Barry Galbraith, Paul Chambers, Oscar Pattiford, Max Roach, Art Taylor….more